RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Prevalence of chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain in Saudi Arabia
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 1256
OP 1266
DO 10.15537/smj.2019.12.24690
VO 40
IS 12
A1 Almalki, Mohammed T.
A1 BinBaz, Sarah S.
A1 Alamri, Sultan S.
A1 Alghamdi, Hani H.
A1 EL-Kabbani, Ahmed O.
A1 Al Mulhem, Abdulaziz A.
A1 Alzubaidi, Sultan A.
A1 Altowairqi, Amal T.
A1 Alrbeeai, Hanaa A.
A1 Alharthi, Wardah M.
A1 Alswat, Khaled A.
YR 2019
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/40/12/1256.abstract
AB Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of chronic pain (CP) and high-impact chronic pain (HICP) in a sample of the general adult population in Saudi Arabia.Methods: This is a cross-sectional online survey (N=24,265). Forty data collectors from 5 regions of Saudi Arabia approached people to complete the questionnaires through different social media applications, using a validated survey in Arabic language.Results: Chronic pain and HICP prevalences in the Saudi adult population were found to be 46.4% (CP) and 4% (HICP), with a higher prevalence among women and elderly. Chronic back pain was the most reported pain location. Half of the respondents reported dissatisfaction with pain services. Greater prevalence of HICP was found among women, elderly, unemployed, and those with low-income status. Patients with HICP were more likely to have more healthcare utilization and have more negative impacts on their physical and psychological wellbeing.Conclusion: Chronic pain and HICP are common in Saudi Arabia, especially among females and elderly, suggesting a public health problem. This calls for collaborative efforts at various levels of the social hierarchy to ensure the provision of effective management of CP in Saudi Arabia.